LEIGH Leopards loanee Jacob Gannon is back in contention for York Knights against Featherstone Rovers after a two-month injury lay-off.

The forward has featured just twice in his second spell with the Knights, having been helped from the field with a foot injury as they earned a first win of the Betfred Championship season against Bradford Bulls in April.

He turned out both at prop and in the second row under then-head coach Andrew Henderson, and will provide a boost to Mark Applegarth's side ahead of a tough test at the 2023 League Leaders' Shield winners on Sunday (3pm).

Gannon was helped from the field with a foot injury against Bradford Bulls.Gannon was helped from the field with a foot injury against Bradford Bulls. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

Gannon replaces hooker Taylor Pemberton in the only change to the Knights' preliminary squad ahead of the fixture. 

Since making his loan from Betfred Super League heavyweights St Helens permanent during the off-season, Pemberton's utility value has proved vital for York - having successfully partnered Ata Hingano in the halves in their wins against Bradford, Halifax Panthers and Swinton Lions, and deputised for the injured Will Dagger at full-back against Widnes Vikings.

Applegarth was pleased to report that his squad had received just 'bumps and bruises' from last weekend's 40-0 demolition of Dewsbury Rams, but is still without Jesse Dee (arm), AJ Towse (hamstring) Hull FC loanee Charlie Severs (shoulder), alongside long-term absentees Bailey Antrobus, James Cunningham and Levi Edwards.

"[Towse, Severs and Dee], they were injured when I got the job, and nothing's changed there," the Knights boss explained.

"Jesse, we've got a scan for him this week just to see how much damage there is there. It could be a case that he's fit and available from next week, or it could be a prolonged period of time.

"The other two, they were already on the injury list. When there's a bit more news to give, I'll give you it, but at the moment, currently all three of them are injured."

KNIGHTS SQUAD TO FACE FEATHERSTONE: Bailey, Brown, Cook, Dagger, Daley, Field, Fitzsimmons, Gannon, Harris, Hingano, Jubb, Keinhorst, Michael, Potter, Reynolds, Santi, Ta'ai, Teanby, Thompson, Ward, Williams.